Aizen's Explanation: I Act, Therefore I Am Right

"Corrected to be right?"

Kaname Tōsen repeated the phrase in bewilderment, trying to grasp its significance.

"I act, therefore I am right. Within the scope of his ability, whatever he does will always be corrected into the optimal solution, one capable of resolving the matter."

Hearing Aizen's explanation, Gin's gaze flickered as he recalled Dōsan Hanyū's inexplicable victory.

In his fight against Nemu Number Seven, if Dōsan Hanyū had used any other Kidō at that crucial moment, he would surely have lost.

Yet he had chosen Tsuzuri Raiden, the only correct answer.

And that single Tsuzuri Raiden had also led to a dramatic turn of events.

Though Aizen spoke so casually, Dōsan Hanyū's ability sent chills down both men's spines.

"Interesting, isn't it?" Aizen smiled as he always did, especially when he saw the inexplicable expressions on his two subordinates' faces.

Absolute "rightness"—was an ability like that merely interesting to this man?

Gin opened his almond-shaped silver eyes, then narrowed them again. "Will you invite him to join us, then?"

Aizen shook his head gently. "Unfortunately, I don't believe he has the mettle to sit upon the heavens."

Though he called it unfortunate, Aizen showed no trace of regret.

"Since such a dangerous man cannot become our comrade, why don't we nip him in the bud?" Tōsen suggested.

"Oh my." Gin drew out the words. "Mr. Tōsen, is that your justice?"

"Gin, blind justice is the greatest evil." Tōsen's voice was stern as he retorted.

"Tōsen." Aizen stopped their bickering and rebuked Tōsen. "You're too shallow."

Terrified, Tōsen answered, "Yes, sir. My deepest apologies, Lord Aizen."

He did not understand what Lord Aizen meant.

Aizen held out his right hand. "There's no need to apologize, but, Kaname, Gin, you must remember that we're only making this world more interesting."

"The plan can begin."

After watching the spectacle, Soi Fon hurried back to the barracks.

It was heartbreaking. In less than an hour,

she had gone from a soaring high to a low, then lower and lower and lower and lower and lower.

She had finally set her sights on a talented young man, only to find that the Tenth Division had already claimed him. It was over before she could even try.

"Captain, something big has happened!"

Ōmaeda Marechiyo, the Second Division's Third Seat, rushed over to Soi Fon.

Putting away her easily shattered weakness, Soi Fon's expression returned to its usual cool detachment. "What is it?"

"Bad news, Captain. Ichimonji Tokinada sent a request to Central 46 to remove the Stealth Force from the Thirteen Divisions again and have the Artificial Soul Corps take over the Second Division's duties."

The fat on Ōmaeda's face quivered as he looked at his perpetually stern-faced captain and revealed the secret he had just learned.

At the pinnacle of Soul Society stood the Soul King. Below the Soul King were the Five Great Noble Clans, and beneath them were the many high-ranking noble clans.

Kyōraku, Ise, Kasumiōji, Ōmaeda...

The elders of these high-ranking noble clans were elected by the nobles to serve in the Central 46 Chambers. They were the nobles' spokesmen and the true holders of power in the Seireitei beneath the Soul King and the Five Great Noble Clans.

To be honest, the Second Division as it stood really could not shoulder the responsibilities of a normal division, much less one focused on assassination.

It fell far too short!

But.

A cold glint flashed in Soi Fon's eyes, and her intense killing intent made Ōmaeda's fat tremble.

Because of what had happened with that person, the Shihoin Clan had recalled the main force of the Stealth Force, but its designation had remained with the Second Division.

But if Ichimonji Tokinada had his way, what would that make her, the Second Division Captain?

More importantly, the merger of the Stealth Force and the Second Division was the result of that person's tireless efforts.

And now it was going to be undone on her watch!

Are you saying I, Soi Fon, am inferior to that person?

Never!

Every division was short on personnel now, and none could spare any recruits for the Second Division.

In that case, I absolutely cannot give up on a talent like Dōsan Hanyū!

At her side, the Second Division's Third Seat, Ōmaeda, trembled all over. Captain Soi Fon was already like ice that never melted, and the aura she gave off now frightened him even more.

"Guards." Soi Fon swept out a hand.

Several figures appeared beside Ōmaeda in an instant and dropped to one knee.

"Yes!"

"West District 1 of Rukongai. Your mission: investigate and keep Dōsan Hanyū under surveillance. Dismissed!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Soi Fon waved Ōmaeda away, then let out a melancholy sigh.

The Stealth Force was a military unit, and as such, she could not carry it on her shoulders alone.

Neither the division's core members nor its lower ranks came anywhere close to meeting Soi Fon's expectations.

Soi Fon clenched her delicate hand tightly and slammed it against the wall beside her. She needed a right-hand man now.

Perhaps the Thirteenth Division had already taken it for granted that Dōsan would become one of them. They showed him great kindness and tolerance, and did not even question him further.

As for the Tenth Division's pair of crouching dragon and fledgling phoenix, they were naturally subjected to a furious, finger-pointing scolding from the Captain-Commander.

Before Dōsan left, Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division even made a special effort to use her Zanpakuto to remove his injuries and fatigue.

Dōsan Hanyū returned to the Shiba residence in Rukongai.

[Welcome home in triumph, Dōsan]

The Shiba Clan's bizarre giant hand of blue clay held up a banner. Normally, Dōsan would have thought nothing of it, but today, after being repeatedly teased by Nemu and Rangiku, he felt inexplicably embarrassed.

"Toot, toot, toot."

A thoroughly unmusical blast of horns came from above. Dōsan had been so preoccupied with his embarrassment that he had overlooked the familiar Spiritual Pressures nearby. He looked up to see Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko, two burly men, blowing their horns rhythmically atop the giant hand.

"Welcome back!"

Two figures burst out of the house. They were Kūkaku and Ganju, holding party poppers. With a pop, streamers showered Dōsan's head.

Did they have to make such a big deal of it?

Before, Dōsan might only have found it heartwarming, and might even have been grateful, but after that old lady Rangiku's antics, he had become particularly sensitive.

"All right, all right. I'll cook for everyone, so let's go back inside!" Dōsan pushed Kūkaku toward the house.

As she was pushed along, Kūkaku kept blowing the little horn in her mouth. She turned her head. "Oh, right, I have something important to tell you."

"What is it?" Dōsan stopped.

"That's not fair, Sis! I should be the one to say it."

Of course, Kūkaku shot Ganju a fierce glare, and he did not dare make another sound.

That was nothing unusual, and Dōsan did not grow wary in the slightest.

It could not have been more normal.

When Sister Kūkaku disciplined Ganju, he was almost surprised if she did not kick him.

Ignoring her foolish little brother, Kūkaku put on a serious face. "Listen carefully."

"Mm." Dōsan leaned his head over.

Kūkaku moved close to Dōsan's ear and whispered, "Don't you have a heart? Hahaha—hic!"

"Ah!!!!"

The two of them laughed, pounding their chests and stamping their feet.

It's decided. We're having large intestine sashimi for dinner!